细枝末节 (xì zhī mò jiē) — minor details; trivial matters; nonessentials

Definition

Examples

• 别总盯着细枝末节，先看看整体方案。
  Bié zǒng dīng zhe xì zhī mò jiē, xiān kàn kàn zhěng tǐ fāng àn.
  Don't always focus on minor details—first look at the overall plan.
• 工作汇报要突出重点，少谈细枝末节。
  Gōng zuò huì bào yào tū chū zhòng diǎn, shǎo tán xì zhī mò jiē.
  Work reports should highlight the key points and talk less about trivial matters.
• 他太在意细枝末节，反而忽略了主要问题。
  Tā tài zài yì xì zhī mò jiē, fǎn ér hū lüè le zhǔ yào wèn tí.
  He cares too much about nonessentials and instead overlooks the main issue.